Anthurium plant named Electron

ABSTRACT

An Anthurium plant named `Electron` having small red spathes with a purple spadix, with the spathes being carried above and among the foliage. The leaves are small, very dark green, and very shiny. The plant has a miniature growth habit, and is suitable for smaller pot sizes (10 cm). The plant grows to a marketable size and begins flowering quickly.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar ofAnthurium, botanically known as Anthurium hybrid, and referred to by thecultivar name `Electron`.

The new cultivar is a product of a breeding program carried out by theinventors Ann E. Lamb and Robert D. Hartman in Apopka and Sebring, Fla.,and is the result of the following cross made in Apopka, Fla. inFebruary 1993: An unnamed Anthurium hybrid identified by proprietarycode number ×Anthurium `94-4`, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,820.

The cultivar was discovered from the progeny of the stated cross inMarch 1995 by Ann E. Lamb. Tissue culture performed by or under thesupervision of Ann E. Lamb at Sebring, Fla. was used to increase thenumber of plants for evaluation and has demonstated the stability of thecombination of characteristics of `Electron` from generation togeneration.

The following observations, measurements and values describe plantsgrown in Homestead, Fla. under shade house conditions which closelyapproximate those generally used in horticulture practice.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed to be characteristicswhich in combination distinguish, `Electron` from other Anthuriums ofthe same general type, for example, the unpatented cultivar `Lady Jane`to which comparative reference is made.

1. The plant produces many small red spathes, with a purple spadix, withthe spathes being carried above and among the foliage.

2. The leaves are small, very dark green, leathery, and very shiny.

3. The growth habit is very branched and compact, making `Electron`suitable for smaller pot sizes.

4. The plant grows to a marketable size and begins flowering quickly.

5. The spathe color actually darkens as the spathe matures, an importantfeature to the ultimate consumer.

Compared to `Lady Jane`, `Electron` has a compact, highly branched,miniature growth habit. The inflorescence of `Electron` are red,abundantly produced, and smaller than those of `Lady Jane`. Also, plantsof `Electron` grow to a marketable size and begin flowering earlier than`Lady Jane`.

All color references are measured against The Royal HorticulturalSociety Color Chart. Colors are approximate as color depends onhorticultural practices such as light level and fertilization rate,among others, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The color photographic drawing comprises a top perspective view of theinflorescence and foliage of a plant of `Electron` in a 15.3 cm potapproximately 10 months after planting a 20 week old liner obtained bytissue culture and grown under appropriate growing conditions.

Colors are as accurate as possible with color illustrations of thistype.

Origin: Seedling selected from a cross of an unnamed Anthurium hybrididentified by a proprietary code number × Anthurium `94-4`.

Classification: Anthurium hybrid, cv, `Electron`.

Propagation: Asexual propagation either by tissue culture or division.

INFLORESCENCE

Immature: The spathe is tightly rolled around the spadix and emergesfrom the petiole sheath. The spathe is fully open approximately when thepeduncle is fully elongated, approximately 19.5 cm to 23 cm above thesoil surface. The color of the flower peduncle is 146 C flushed with 175A.

Mature:

Color.--Fully open: Upper surface: Redder than, but closest to 45 D.Lower surface: 47 A. Faded: Upper surface: 46 B. Lower surface: 47 A.

Arrangement.--The inflorescence terminates from a straight or oftencurved wiry peduncle and opens vertically among or above the leaves.

Shape.--The spathe is ovate with a cordate base and a cuspidate tip. Thespathe typically has a wavy margin.

Size.--The fully expanded spathe is approximately 3.8 cm to 4.6 cm longand approximately 2.4 cm to 2.7 cm in width.

Flowering time.--After approximately 10 months from a 20 week old linerfor an untreated plant as illustrated in the photograph and depending onseason, approximately 4 to 7 blossoms will be present. Smaller bloomsmay occur on less mature growth. First flowers have been observed in 20week old finished liners.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

Spadix:

Size.--Approximately 2.7 cm to 3.3 cm in height and approximately 5 mmin width.

Color.--When the spathe unrolls, the spadix is 76 A-B at the base, 186 Ain the center, and 59 D at the tip.

Stamens.--Anthers and filaments are minute and not clearly visible.Pollen is white in color.

Pistil.--Translucent white, protruding between the staminate flowers,firmly fixed to the main axil. The pistilate flowers extendapproximately 0.2 mm beyond the staminate flowers.

General appearance: Under appropriate growing conditions, `Electron`reaches a size of approximately 14 cm to 16 cm in height andapproximately 37 cm to 40 cm in width.

Leaves:

Form.--The leaf blade is ovate with an acute tip and a truncate toslightly cordate base. The midrib is straight over the length of theleaf, and often curved downward at the tip. The leaf margins aresomewhat wavy. The leaf blade is leathery in texture, with a very shinysurface.

Size.--Leaf blades of a mature size plant are approximately 13 cm to 15cm in length and approximately 7.4 cm to 9 cm in width measured at thewidest point.

Veins.--The veins are sunken, with the leaf blade noticeably convexbetween veins on the upper surface. The midrib protrudes from the uppersurface of the leaf for approximately 2/3 the length of the leaf. Welldefined primary veins on leaves radiate out from the juncture of thepetiole and the leaf. Veins stand out prominently on the lower side.There are approximately 4-6 primary veins on the leaf.

Petiole.--The petiole is approximately 10 cm to 12 cm in height from thebase of the petiole to the base of the leaf blade on the primary shoot.The petiole is approximately 3.2 mm in diameter just below thegeniculum. The petiole below the geniculum is straight. Secondary shootsare somewhat smaller depending on the age of the shoot.

Petiole wings.--Petiole wings are approximately 1.2 cm to 1.7 cm inlength and approximately 2.5 mm in width at their midpoint. The tip ofthe petiole wings is rounded. There is approximately 9.4 cm between thetop of the wing and the base of the geniculum.

Geniculum.--The geniculum is approximately 1.7 cm to 1.9 cm in length,approximately 4.0 mm in diameter, and is often curved. The geniculum issomewhat indistinct.

Lobes.--The leaf has two lobes which do not extend past the petiole. Thedistance from the petiole/leaf juncture to the highest point on theblade is approximately 4.4 cm to 5.2 cm.

Colors.--Upper surface: Much darker and greener than, but closest to 147A. Newly expanded leaves are flushed with bronze 175 A. Lower surface:146 B. Midrib, upper surface: 146 C. Midrib, lower surface: 146 D.Petiole: 146 B, flushed with 175 A when exposed to bright light. Petiolewing: 146 D, occasionally streaked with 183 A. Leaf Sheath: 146 D,streaked with 183 A. Geniculum: 146 D.

Roots: White fleshy roots with fine laterals. The roots are 180 B incolor when produced above the soil and exposed to light.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Anthurium plant named`Electron`, as illustrated and described.